bontebok

noun

bon·​te·​bok
ˈbäntə̇ˌbäk
variants or less commonly bontebuck
-ˌbək
plural bontebok or bonteboks
: a southern African antelope (Damaliscus dorcas dorcas synonym D. pygargus) that is now extinct except in semidomestication and is of a purplish red color with a white face and rump

Word History

Etymology

Afrikaans bontebok, bontbok, from bont spotted (from Middle Dutch, probably from Medieval Latin punctus dotted) + bok male antelope, male goat, from Middle Dutch boc; akin to Old High German boc male goat

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Dictionary Entries Near bontebok

Cite this Entry

“Bontebok.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bontebok. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

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